After more than a week of several immigration-based executive orders from President Donald Trump, some of Marshalltown’s immigrant population have shown concern.

Some of them met with Immigrant Allies leaders this week to discuss safety and new executive orders, among other topics.

“Stay informed, stay connected,” said Joa LaVille of Immigrant Allies. She and fellow organization member Maria Gonzalez led the meeting at the Marshalltown Public Library, which was attended by about 18 people, including a few families.

LaVille said those concerned by the president’s executive orders should pay attention to what’s going on at the federal level, and to make a plan in case immigration officials come to a residence.

“You’ll have the right to a phone call,” Gonzalez said. She and LaVille suggested having two contacts phone numbers memorized in case an undocumented person is apprehended: an immigration lawyer and a trusted loved one. “It’s important that children do not open the door.”

Additional strategies discussed included staying silent except for asking for a lawyer and ensuring immigration officials have a warrant to enter a place of residence. She also said undocumented immigrants do have a right to a phone call and don’t have to sign anything without legal representation present.

“Immigration (enforcement) is very good at telling you ‘You’re going to lose your kid,’ ‘You’re going to go to prison,'” LaVille said. “If they (immigration officials) have a warrant … you don’t have to talk other than to ask for a lawyer.”

Marshalltown Police Chief Mike Tupper said it’s important that people dealing with law enforcement officials cooperate while knowing their rights.

He also noted the Trump administration’s executive orders haven’t yet caused any changes at the local law enforcement level in Marshalltown.

“Nothing has really changed in terms of what’s happening at the local level,” he said.

Also discussed at the meeting was the bipartisan Bar Removal of Individuals Who Dream of Growing Our Economy (BRIDGE) Act. If passed into federal law, the BRIDGE Act would “allow people who are eligible for or who have received work authorization and temporary relief from deportation through Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to continue living in the United States with permission from the federal government,” according to the National Immigration Law Center.

The legislation is sponsored by Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham and Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat.

LaVille said it’s important for those with DACA and their loved ones to call Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst and U.S. Rep. Rod Blum and encourage them to support such legislation.

“It’s OK to call every day,” she said, adding to leave a name, phone number, email and zip code or address if a voicemail message is taken. “Currently, there is nothing that has changed on DACA.”

Gonzalez and LaVille said it’s possible Immigrant Allies will host storytelling or open mic events for undocumented people to share their experiences, fears and thoughts firsthand.

The possibility of undocumented people being tricked by false news or fraud schemes targeting immigrants was also mentioned by Gonzalez. She said such schemes involve telling undocumented people they can stay in the U.S. if they join a program, and are asked to giver personal information in the process.

“We all need this info, and at times it can be overwhelming,” Gonzalez said, adding people who are concerned can contact Immigrant Allies.

LaVille said if information comes in that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials are in the Marshalltown area, such information will be shared on the Immigrant Allies’ Facebook page.